Diverse
perspectives on the idea of “Indo-Pacific” are resulting in a lack of clarity
on this concept. As a framework, the Indo-Pacific seeks to create a connected
multipolar Asia that must be governed by commonly agreed international norms,
rules and practices. But what is the Indo-Pacific?

COMMENTARY

THE IDEA of
the Indo-Pacific has become an inevitable topic for discussion among foreign
policy and defence communities and commentators. Everyone, however, is
grappling with this idea and pondering how this changing narrative could affect
oceanic space that is in a state of flux.

There are multiple perspectives about its nature and scope. A lack of clarity
about the idea of the Indo-Pacific has resulted in a disinterested disposition
among several countries in the region towards this evolving geopolitical
paradigm.

One Concept, Divergent
Ideas?The ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute conducted an online
survey between 18 November and 5 December 2018 on the “State of Southeast Asia:
2019” to seek the views of Southeast Asians. One of the questions asked was how
do you view the Indo-Pacific concept? The majority of the respondents (61.3%)
think the concept is “unclear and requires further elaboration”. Therefore, it
is essential to get clarity and specificity from the proponents of the
Indo-Pacific concept.

The survey also highlights lingering doubts of the Indo-Pacific’s “hidden
agenda” as a quarter of the respondents (25.4%) think the “concept aims to
contain China” while 17.3% see the concept as working to “undermine ASEAN’s
relevance and position in the regional order”.

What is the Indo-Pacific? Is this a framework being developed with some other
motives or is it a reflection of changing realities which require adjustment in
approaches to look at things in this region?

Framework for a Multipolar
AsiaFor a long time, the geopolitical paradigm widely used is the Asia-Pacific
encompassing countries from Northeast Asia to South Asia and vast seas namely
the Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The idea of the
Indo-Pacific has evolved over time, recognising the blurring lines between
geoeconomics and geopolitics.

It also demonstrates a gradual convergence of opportunities and challenges in
the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Sustained economic growth, relative
political stability and social cohesion have enabled major powers in Asia to
exert expanding influence in shaping agendas and global rule-making.

Asia has ascended as a pivot amid these changing global economic and strategic
realities. The resurgence of the Indo-Pacific, which Indian analysts describe
as the “maritime underbelly of Asia” has become the locus of maritime activity
in Asia. A gradual evolution of the Indo-Pacific concept has resulted in varied
ideas and perspectives.

Japan, India, Indonesia and some ASEAN countries appear more active on regional
economic diplomacy and comprehensive with a clear emphasis on rule-based order
and collaboration on shared interests. American and Australian perspectives,
which earlier appeared as anti-China, are also evolving.

Non-Confrontational
Community Building

The commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Philip S. Davidson in a panel
discussion in New Delhi as part of the Raisina Dialogue 2019 underlined that
the Indo-Pacific region should be about building communities, not about
confrontation. In response to a question on the Quad − comprising the US,
India, Australia and Japan — being seen as a step to contain China, Admiral
Davidson said that the Indo-Pacific policy is not a containment policy.

Similarly, speaking at Halifax International Security Forum on 17 November
2018, Admiral Davidson termed the Indo-Pacific as “an engine that drives global
economic development” and spelled out details of a “Free and Open
Indo-Pacific”. The “Free and Open” concept has five key
components:

They are one, “free from coercion by other nations” as well as free “in terms
of values and belief systems”; two, “individual rights and liberties” including
religious freedom and good governance; three, “the shared values of the United
Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”; four,
“unfettered access to the seas and airways upon which our nations and economies
depend”; and five, “open investment environments, transparent agreements
between nations, protection of intellectual property rights, fair and
reciprocal trade”.

There is, however, an imagined impression that the Quad is an integral part of
the Indo-Pacific concept. Linking these two ideas is creating ambiguity among
scholars and policymakers. Though there could be some congruence between these
two evolving concepts, Indo-Pacific is a much broader framework. India is
central to the Indo-Pacific concept. Hence, it is critical to understand India’s
perspective on the Indo-Pacific.

The Indian PerspectiveIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very clearly outlined India’s
Indo-Pacific vision as a “natural region” and home to immense global
opportunities and challenges.

He proposed India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific in both geographical and
civilisational sense – a free, open and inclusive club, open to all in a common
pursuit of progress and prosperity. Security and Growth for All in the Region
(SAGAR) captures Modi’s Indo-Pacific vision.

This makes it clear why India remains perhaps the least enthusiastic member of
the Quad. India is grappling to walk a tightrope between robust security
balancing while maximising opportunities for economic engagement.

Foundational Principles

Notwithstanding the divergent perspectives, there seem to be a convergence on
the key organising principles of the Indo-Pacific concept knitting together
economic and security relationships of major powers and the countries around
this vast oceanic space.

These principles are freedom of navigation and overflight; respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity; equality of all nations irrespective of
their size and strength; peaceful resolution of disputes; respect for
international laws; open and stable international trade regime; sustainable
development of marine resources; maritime safety and security anchored by
ASEAN-led mechanisms; and fostering physical, digital, technical and
people-to-people connectivity.

The Indo-Pacific vision seeks to create a connected Asia that must be governed
by commonly agreed international norms, rules and practices. Most of the
challenges we confront as an interconnected and interdependent world are
cross-cutting and global in dimension.

These include terrorism, maritime crimes, pandemics, cybercrime, maritime
environment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief among others. All of
these require a collaborative response and therefore multipolarity is the way
forward. A multipolar Indo-Pacific could become a profound platform to manage
the competing interests of major powers in a vast common domain in an emerging
world order.

Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy is a Visiting Fellow in the Office of Executive Deputy
Chairman at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore. He participated in the Raisina Dialogue
2019, India’s flagship annual conference on geo-politics and geo-economics.